Onam is the most distinguished festival in the state of Kerala. Onam lasts for ten days. The festival falls on Chingam – the first month in the Malayalam Lunar Calendar – which falls on a date between Augusts and mid - September in the Gregorian calendar. The ten days of onam are Atham, Chithira, Chodi, Vishakam, Anizham, Thriketta, Moolam, Pooradam, Uthradam and Thiruvonam. Most important day is on Thiruvonam.

Pookalam:

Onam celebrations commence with the star Atham when the decorative pookalam is created in front of the house. The word “pookalam” is a combination of two words, poov (flower) and kalam (color patterns). Pookalam is renewed every day and it appears in various sizes. Pookalm is also called Athapoo. Flower carpet called pookalm is laid in front of the house to welcome the King Mahabali. Onam is celebrating by all community of people all over the state. Competitions for decorating pookalams are organized in each place. In front of Government offices, junctions, parks, in major jewelleries and textile shops we can see large pookalam on the auspicious day Thiruvonam. Pookalam has now become an art form. 

Onasadya or Feast:

Nothing is more highlight than Onasadya, which is prepared on Thiruvonam, the final day of Onam. It should be served in banana leaves for each person in Tharavad or own house. The top left corner of leave is for pickles starting with ginger pickles. Boiled rice the main dish will be accompanied by other dishes such as sambar, parippu, avail, thoran, pachadi, rasam,pappadam and banana. And at last payasam is served for the sweet ending of Sadya. People of rich and poor would prepare a meal contain 13 to 14 dishes. An old saying in Malayalam “kannam vittu onam unnanam” means, if you had no money sell your property and eat onasadya. 

Attractions:

Lots of activities take place all over the state.  Athachamayam is a grand procession marks the beginning of the festival. Procession includes caparisoned elephants, pulikali and various dance show. Thiruvathirakali is a traditional dance performed by nine or ten women wearing the traditional dress set-mundu during the festival. Another dance which was performed only by men is Pullikalli. The men painted their bodies in yellow with patterns of black and red. Most famous pullikalli prformers were in Thrissur and Palaghat Districts. Another attraction that draws thousands of tourists every year is Aranmula Snake Boat race. It is held on the banks of Pampa River near Parthasarathy temple in Aranmula. Kerala Tourism also arranged one week long celebration.

Article Posted By : Minijayan  On June 24, 2014lView All Articles

When i was a child, I used to wait for Onam to get new dress and grand sadya.

Article Source :

http://www.veethi.com/articles/attractions-of-onam-article-3157.htm

Keywords :
Harvest festival , onam